Friday, April 27, 2012

Once an alcoholic has completed a stint in rehab, it can be
easy to brush aside the idea of seeking out continued alcohol
addiction help. Many feel the need to celebrate, collect the scattered
pieces, and pick back up where they left off. Unfortunately, this plan of
action often results in relapse, ultimately placing the individual in line for
repeat rehabilitation visits and a spot in line at the recovery start point. In
order to avoid this vicious cycle, it’s important for alcoholics to acknowledge
the need for post rehab help to aid in ensuring a fulfilling, happy and
long-lasting sobriety.

12 Steps To Happiness

12 step recovery
programs are often introduced to rehabilitation patients during their
initial recovery period. These meetings help break up the recovery process into
bite-sized, digestible portions, meant to keep the alcoholic focused, driven
and on track with their sobriety goal. As most addicts learn during meetings,
recovery is far from a black and white process. Rarely does an alcoholic wake
up to find themselves completely rid of the desire to drink. Rather, the process
for many involves years… even decades of commitment and perseverance. As such,
it’s largely encouraged for recovering alcoholics to adhere to a strict
schedule in regard to meeting attendance and participation. With support comes
confidence. With confidence comes… well whatever you put your mind to.

Living Sober

Another option for recovering alcoholics post rehab is sober
living. A sober living home refers to a property outside the rehabilitation
community where by recovering addicts are able to make the transition back into
society in a structured and sober environment. Residents of these facilities
must obtain and retain employment and/or education through an accredited
institution. Residents must also adhere to a strict set of rules in regard to appearance,
hygiene, demeanor, sleep schedules and of course, sobriety (random drug testing
is an inevitability). By keeping to the schedule and rules set before them,
residents are able to earn responsibility and privileges. Failure to abide to
house rules can results in various consequences up to and including eviction.
Many addicts choosing to place themselves in a sober living establishment are
able to grasp hold of the challenges before them; ultimately setting themselves
up for the happy, long-lasting sobriety they’ve been searching for.

Considerations

Every case is different. What may work for some, may not
necessarily work for others. Those considering the options outlined above
should be encouraged to speak with their addiction counselors prior to rehab
completion in order to ensure any necessary arrangements are in place. Trust
your gut and shoot for the win. You’re only as good as you truly know you are.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Interested
in learning the ins and outs of 12 step recovery
programs? The entry below will provide you with a few tips to get you
started.

-The best place to begin your journey with the
12 steps is from the bottom up: Step #1 – Admit that we are powerless over our
addiction, and that our lives have become unmanageable. This initial step
serves as an introduction and base from which to grow from throughout our time
in the program.

-Locate an in-person meeting in the area in
which you live. Most all meetings have people with varying levels of wisdom,
sobriety and experience, whom will be able to acquaint you with the program.
Don’t be scared… you will likely be surprised by the positive reception!
Additional alcohol
addiction help can be found via social network recovery sites and online
meetings. These options may be a little less personal, but can be very
convenient when time and travel are opposing factors.

-Choose a sponsor to help you stay accountable.
It may take a few meetings to locate a good fit, but by simply taking the time
and initiative to ask around, you shouldn’t run into much trouble. Use your
better judgment when selecting a sponsor to ensure you’re working with someone
who has your and their best interests at heart.

-Move through the steps in order. Support
throughout this process can be obtained through your sponsor and other AA
members. Additional resources can be found online through support sites and
forums. Some may also consider utilizing texts, such as the Alcoholics
Anonymous’ Big Book.

-The quicker you’re able to think objectively
and hold yourself accountable, the more positive your life will become. The
sooner you begin utilizing your 12 step program
addiction resources, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy the sober and happy
lifestyle you deserve.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

In order to get the most out of sober living,
Los Angeles patients must commit themselves completely to the recovery process.
In addition to 12
step recovery programs, counseling, and structure, the benefits of
associated with sober homes include a dedicated and supportive sober
atmosphere, positive community living, and the guidance patients need to
integrate themselves back into regular society.

Many patients who have completed
an inpatients rehabilitation program have not taken the proper time to consider
the possibility of sober living arrangements. In this entry, we will offer up a
few of the many benefits associated with these facilities to provide you with a
better outlook in regard to what a patient should expect to gain from the
process.

-Sobriety
Focus

-Sober
living facilities provide residents with the ability to focus on their recovery
in a positive and dedicated atmosphere.

-Transitional
Living

-Facilities
offer patients a middle point between the sheltered inpatient rehab facility
experience and “real” life. Residents are afforded the ability the regain their
independence and sense of self while residing in an alcohol and drug-free
environment.

-Life Skills
Development

-Due to the
fact that addiction is centered on the need to obtain and abuse alcohol or
drugs, many addicts find themselves neglecting other aspects of their lives to
facilitate their use habits. A sober living home provides residents the ability
to grow – or regrow – day-to-day skills, including work duties, education,
housework, fitness and social encounters.

-Routine
Schedules

-Prior to
receiving alcohol
addiction help, it’s not uncommon for patient’s waking and sleep schedules
to become somewhat erratic. A sober living community works to encourage regular
schedules; in turn creating positive time management habits once “normal life”
is resumed.

-Sober
Network Expansion

-In many
instances, friendships must be reevaluated upon completion of a rehabilitation
program. Sober living provides residents with a community of people dedicated
to a sober, positive and healthy lifestyle.

Monday, April 9, 2012

When considering attendance at 12 step recovery
programs, it’s important to obtain a basic understanding of program rules
and guidelines. In this entry we will seek to outline these regulations to
prepare you for your visit.

Truth be told, there is only one true requirement for AA
membership: The desire to stop drinking. This tradition is #3 of the 12
traditions outlined throughout the Alcoholics Anonymous program, and is
commonly read aloud during each meeting. If you’re just beginning your
recovery, you may not be aware of the power these traditions hold; you may not
have even known they existed prior to reading this!

The best way to comprehend the traditions is through
comparison to the 12 steps. Where as the 12 steps apply to the individual; the
12 traditions apply to the group as a whole.

While this lonely tradition may seem fairly self
explanatory, there is more to it than initially meets the eye. Tradition #3
entails a member’s desire to quit drinking, making the declaration of being an
alcoholic, and placing a focus on the alcohol addiction even in cases where the
individual is addicted to multiple substances.

“Desire” is a tricky little point to focus on. What one
member perceives as desire may not do the trick initially… It may actually be
more of a wish that anything else. In order to get the most out of a 12 step program
addiction, members commit themselves full-heartedly to the process.

This doesn’t go to say that someone perceiving desire
is not welcome to receive alcohol
addiction help; Desire does not designate a promise, but rather a high
level of intent. What may initially begin as wishful thinking or a desire
perception may ultimately blossom into full-fledged desire with time. As such,
it’s important to understand that AA membership takes little more than a
declaration of membership. However, the true and potential results of the
program will only be realized with dedication and “true” desire from an
individual intent on improving their own situation.